So this month, it seems that I actually have seen Avatar. I had the privilege of seeing it in 3-d with a free pass, too. It's been a while though, so my memory might be a bit rusty. In any case, here goes (also I'm on cold medicine that's supposed to make me drowsy, so my writing quality might degrade after a while):
The Plot
You start the movie seeing a Marine named Jake Sully wake up from cryo-stasis, and you quickly learn he's a paraplegic. He's been assigned to a team lead by the lady from Alien (Sigourney Weaver) to take his dead twin brother's place as an "Avatar," a creature using both human DNA with that of the native alien race, the Na'vi. Basically he's piloting a chimera that's 3 times bigger than regular humans. Oh and also he's the only military-backgrounded guy with an avatar, since everyone else is a scientist. This creates a convenient plot point that leads him to get lost, find the native tribe, and befriend them. But at the same time he's also working with some dicks in the military that want to destroy the tribe... anyway.
This is all taking place on a planet named Pandora (well I guess it's technically a moon but whatever). The whole purpose of the human operation there is to mine the precious element named Unobtainium, which is obviously a better name than Francium. But this native tribe is hostile, since well, the humans are kinda mining in their territory. The Avatar program was an attempt to befriend the Na'vi for them to get permission to continue their mining operation.
Without spoiling too much (and thus spoiling everything), it goes like this: Sully befriends Na'vi but is also gathering intelligence, Sully becomes attached to them and does one of the alien chicks, the information he gathered is used by the military dicks to enact their great plan, great suffering ensues, corporate greed overcomes that of common sense, big battle happens, and everyone lives happily ever after in the end ('cept the dead ones). The plot is, to quote Christopher Titus, "Reliable, not inspiring."
The Good
-Effects are great, of course. CGI sure has come a long way since The Last Starfighter.
-The cast of characters is strong and they play their roles well
-Plot is reliable, and if you like most movies then you'll like this one too. (People say it's a blend of Dances With Wolves and Fern Gully and a bunch of other movies... probably, though it's been forever since I've seen any of those).
-The Na'vi are like giant blue kitties. And everybody loves kitties.
-The 3D effects DO NOT USE CHEAP GIMMICKS. This is what I found to be a very important point... if you've watched ANY 3D movie, you'd know how often the producers like to throw shit at the audience to give them a jump. Avatar rather augments the experience, and doesn't cheapen it with cheesy effects and making the audience jump.
The Bad
-Effects are a good part of the movie, but like most movies today it is heavily reliant on CGI.
-The cast of characters are kinda stereotypical.
-Plot is predictable, and if you hate most movies then you'll hate this one too.
-The giant blue kitties will never love you back.
-The 3D effects made my free ticket actually cost $3 more. And no aliens were leaping out of people's chests. (This is the ONLY acceptible gimmick because of Sigourney Weaver's role).
The Ugly
-The fans oh god the fans. Remember what people say about Jesus, "It's not the actual person I hate, its their fanclub."
-The Fans. (On par with Trekkies and LotR nerds by now)
-Did I mention the fans? Jesus Christ seriously?
If anything look at the last link. It is a link on the Avatar forums to help people cope with the depression that the movie is causing, because, and I quote, "Because the dream of Pandora can never come true." Seriously, it was a good movie and all, but people are going nuts and growing attached to a piece of fiction as if it were actually true. It's nuts and people really need to get a hold of themselves.
Consensus
Avatar was pretty good when it comes right down to it. It was well crafted and well deserving of its praise, even with all of the criticisms. Basically, if you can avoid the rabid rampant crazy fanclub, you'll be alright.
Final Thoughts
Give this a watch after you've seen the movie.
2 comments:
I took notes on how to do my makeup like the Na'vi.. Maybe I won't be so depressed when I look like one while listening to the Avatar soundtrack.
You act like baby... Like little child.
Has found a site with interesting you a question.
Post a Comment